Easy Mixed Berry Compote (10-Minute Recipe) (2024)

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Learning how to make berry compote is simple and should be a staple in every kitchen. This versatile mixed berry sauce/compote can be used in dozens of ways. Plus, this recipe is refined sugar-free and contains just three base ingredients!

Is it a little dramatic of me to say that having a berry compote recipe in your life is vital?! Possibly… But that doesn’t make it less true. I love this 5-minute berry compote – it’s quick, simple, uses just 3 ingredients, and can be used to top dozens of dishes. While I’ve loved making and sharing recipes like thisEasy Homemade Raspberry Jam, Rose Petal Jam, andSimple Ginger Marmalade (Ginger Jam) – nothing beats the simplicity of a quick mixed berry compote recipe.

If you want a quick berry sauce for pancakes, get out the berry compote. Waffles? Same! French toast, yogurt bowls, smoothie bowls, ice cream, sundaes… the list goes on and on. Check out some of my favorite ways to use it in the ‘serving suggestions’ section below.

You’d be amazed at what you can do with just three ingredients and a few minutes of your time (or even 2 ingredients only, sometimes!). Best of all – it’s nutritious and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants too!

What is a compote? (Compote vs. Jam vs. Sauce vs. Coulis)

A compote is a quick, chunky fruit sauce that can be made in minutes on the stovetop. Unlike ‘set’/spreadable jams that use thickeners, compotes are a type of syrupy sauce made by quickly cooking the berries with a sweetener and optional extras. The heat allows your fruits to break down, and the combination of the sweetener and the fruit makes for a wonderfully thick but juicy berry sauce (aka mixed berry compote!).

If you wanted to make a coulis – this follows a similar method. However, the cooking time increases to break down the fruits. They are then mashed/sieved for a hom*ogenous, thick texture.

The Ingredients

• Mixed Berries – I love to use a combination of berries that can be bought in the freezer section in the shop (hence I count it as 1 ingredient but feel free to use individual berries too). You can use them fresh or frozen, though a frozen berry compote will take slightly longer to cook down (but not much).
• Maple Syrup – alternatively, use the sugar of your choice: brown sugar, cane sugar, or even a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or stevia.
• Lemon – this isn’t technically required, but I love the extra freshness it adds and balances with the sweetness.

Optional Fruit Compote Add-ins

There are several ways to add extra flavor to your fruit compotes. Here are just a few options that work with several different types of fruit. The amount you use will vary, to taste.

• Ginger – crushed works best, or a little bit of ginger paste
• Basil/Mint leaves – best added at the end, once the heat is off.
• Cinnamon – leave a stick in the pot while heating, or use a little powder.
• Pumpkin Spice/Gingerbread Spice – for a Holiday twist.
• Rose Water – pairs particularly well with red berries.
• Vanilla – you could add fresh vanilla, vanilla powder, or vanilla extract.
• Citrus zest – lemon, orange, lime, etc.

Let me know in the comments what your favorite add-ins would be that I haven’t already mentioned!

How To Make Berry Compote

1. In a medium saucepan, add the berries and lemon juice and heat over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly and heat for 2-3 more minutes. Occasionally press the berries, so they release more of their juices (though there’s no need to mash them fully).
3. Add the maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice) towards the end of the cooking time and stir well. Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice/sweetener at any time.
4. Then, remove from the heat and either serve the fruit compote immediately or allow it to cool and use later.

Fruit Compote Serving Suggestions

You can serve this berry compote warm or chilled. Feel free to reheat the compote once chilled, too. You can do this either in the microwave or stovetop. Here are some of my favorite ways to use fruit compote.

• With a big bowl of oatmeal or overnight oats
• Spooned over French toast
• With ice-cream and ice-cream sundaes
• Mix into frozen yogurt or make into ice pops (like theseHealthy Yogurt Popsicles)
• Pancakes (like these Americanor Japanese Fluffy Pancakes) & Waffles
• Yogurt Bowls (using natural yogurt, soy yogurt, coconut yogurt, or almond yogurt) & Parfaits
• Serve with granola
• Spoon over chia pudding
• Served alongside cheesecake – or even these raw vegan cheesecakes.

Recipe Notes

• TOP TIP: remember that the amount of sugar/lemon needed within the fruit compote recipe will depend on what berries you’re using. As I’ve used a liquid sweetener for this, it’s better to add less, to begin with, because you can add more at any time (even after it’s cooled). The same goes for the lemon.
• If you’re using fresh fruits (rather than frozen), feel free to add a splash of water, orange juice, or other juice to help encourage the sauce to form.
• To create a type of ‘quick berry chia jam,’ you could add a tablespoon or so of chia seeds to the compote as it cools.
• Feel free to mash/blend the berry compote for a coulis-style thick berry sauce.
• Feel free to make fruit compotes using individual or combinations of fruits, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, peaches, pears, rhubarb, etc. Different fruits will need slightly longer to break down.

FAQs

• Homemade Rose Petal Jam (+ Uses)
• How To Make Homemade Applesauce
• How To Make Homemade Caramel Sauce
• Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam
• Simple Ginger Marmalade (Ginger Jam)
• Strawberry Compote Recipe (Strawberry Topping)

If you try this easy mixed berry compote recipe, then let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. I’d also really appreciate a recipe rating and would love to see your recreations – just tag@AlphaFoodie.